William of Tyre (l. xviii. c. 3, 4, 5)
relates the ignoble origin and early insolence of the
Hospitallers, who soon deserted their humble patron, St.
John the Eleemosynary, for the more august character of St.
John the Baptist, (see the ineffectual struggles of Pagi,
Critica, A. D 1099, No. 14 - 18.) They assumed the
profession of arms about the year 1120; the Hospital was
mater; the Temple filia; the Teutonic order was founded A.D.
1190, at the siege of Acre, (Mosheim Institut p. 389, 390.)